Cindy Jenson-Elliott

Cindy Jenson-Elliott is an author, credentialed teacher, environmental educator, and gardener. Her middle grade nonfiction book The Doomsday Detectives: How Walter and Luis Alvarez Uncovered the Mystery of What Killed the Dinosaurs (illustrated by Theo Nicole Lorenz, Lee & Low), written as equal parts family biography, narrative mystery, graphic nonfiction, and expository science, will be published in fall 2024. Cindy’s debut picture book Weeds Find a Way (illustrated by Carolyn Fisher, Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster), was named a NCTE Notable Children’s Book, an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, and a Eureka Honor Book by the California Reading Association. She is also the author of Dig In! (illustrated by Mary Patterson, Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster). Her picture book biography Antsy Ansel: Ansel Adams A Life in Nature (illustrated by Christy Hale) will be published by Yosemite Conservancy in fall 2024 and The Doomsday Detectives: How Walter and Luis Alvarez Solved the Mystery of Dinosaur Distinction will be published by Lee & Low in March 2025.

Cindy is an active SCBWI member and has taught literature, science, gardening, and writing at nature centers, camps, elementary/middle/high schools throughout California. The Doomsday Detectives was awarded the SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grant for Nonfiction. Visit Cindy on the web http://www.cindyjensonelliott.com/, or follow her on twitter @CJensonElliott